Boston Book Festival caters to the youngest readers

The book festival programming offers children and young teens many ways to interact with books through reading, art and theatre from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Boston Public Library and nearby venues. Sessions include: Craft Your Own Adventure, Building Books, Stories on Stage and Teen Spoken Word.

Tomie DePaola, whose wise witch Strega Nona has delighted children for nearly 40 years, is the keynote speaker for the children’s program of the Boston Book Festivals.

DePaola, the New Hampshire author of 200 books, received the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award in 2011 for his lifetime contribution to American children's literature. He will talk about his career, children’s literature and his new book, “Strega Nona Does it Again” at 10:15 Saturday at Old South Sanctuary, Boston.

The book festival programming offers children and young teens many ways to interact with books through reading, art and theatre from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Boston Public Library and nearby venues. Sessions include: Craft Your Own Adventure, Building Books, Stories on Stage and Teen Spoken Word.

Authors and illustrators will share their works throughout the day during Story Time. These include: Jane Yolen, Bob Shea, and Laura Vaccaro Seeger. Favorite characters also will appear, including Strega Nona, Curious George, Martha, and Lyle the Crocodile.

Additionally, four winners of the Newberry Medal will talk about children’s books from 4-5 p.m. Friday at Old South Sanctuary, 645 Boylston St., Boston. They are Lois Lowry, Jack Gantos, Kate DiCamillo and Rebecca Stead. The events on Saturday run from 10:15 a.m. - 5 p.m. All are free. For information, go to www.bostonbookfest.org.